Fur's flying in New Zealand, where cat lovers are criticizing an environmental advocate's call for a feline-free nation to help save the population of native birds. Gareth Morgan suggests owners neuter their cats and not replace them when they pass away.
–AP

A Texas woman has spent the last month in intensive care after she was bitten on the finger trying to break up a fight between her dogs on Christmas. The mother-of-four contracted a rare infection from the small bite, which required the amputation of her legs and fingers.
–New York Daily News

About 130 people were forced to evacuate after a cat caused a fire in a West Philadelphia apartment building. The feline was trapped in a basement transformer, which caused a short circuit.
–AP